Garden

[Lilysmom1]

@ECBG , one of my favourite perennials is Japanese forest grass.  It is a shade plant and has a lovely vibrant color.  Ligularia is another favourite along with Pieris Japonica.  See below for photos...

Below is Ligularia (the Rocket I believe).  This is a stock photo.  Mine is just starting to bloom.  The bees love it.

Japanese forest grass likes shade and well drained soil.  I have used this extensively in my garden for a shot of color in the shade.  I take a piece from large plants, pot them, tend them over summer and plant elsewhere in the Fall.  Beats paying again and again!

Above is Pieris Japonica.  New growth is red.  Then it reverts to green.

Try one of these!  LM

[Lilysmom1]

@itsmagic , you're right.  Hydrangeas like morning sun and afternoon shade especially if you have high heat in the afternoon.

The roses sound delightful.  Post some photos.  Would love to see the .  LM

[Lilysmom1]

@luvzchiz @We have had an excellent year of flower production after a mild winter.  This is my favourite time in the garden.  Would love to see some photos.  LM

[Lilysmom1]

@1920712 , wow, what a great colour and just loaded!  Thank you for sharing the photo.  LM

[Lilysmom1]

@Kachina624 @As I mentioned in an earlier post, once the hydrangeas do their thing, it is my favourite time of year in the bloom season.  They start one colour and change into Fall so it is a beautiful show.  I am glad your sister enjoys them too.

I gave my huge Strawberry Vanilla a haircut last Fall, and a pretty big one at that.  I will be interested to see how that turns out.  Maybe lesser blooms across the top, we shall see.  LM

[Lilysmom1]

@lulu1 That happens sometimes.  I had an Oakleaf that I simply could not get to bloom. I loved it because the foliage was as pretty as the flower.

I bought a baby Pistachio for $2.50 about five years ago.  It bloomed this year for the first time.

I start eyeing those non performers and, when that happens, their life is usually cut short.  Patience is a virtue as they say but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta due.

I usually do an early Spring fertilization but there are some that are so big that I can't get near them without breaking their brittle branches.  They seem ok without it.  You could try adding some compost around the drip line of the bush and keeping it watered in long dry spells.  LM

[Lilysmom1]

@mousiegirl  See my answer to @lulu1  on fertilization.

I seem to be able to find the sweet spot for hydrangeas on our property more easily than for rhodos.

This year, I had really beautiful rhodos in bloom.  The first year in many for some of them.  I put that down to extra watering and a mild winter.  I planted five new ones this year in understory positions and they look like they are doing very well.  We shall see next year what they look like.  Leaf growth after flowering looks very promising.  LM

PS, I never fertilize twice.

[ECBG]

@Lilysmom1 

Thank you so much for the information.  I loved looking at everything.

[itsmagic]

@Lilysmom1 Here is a picture per your request of one of my miniature rose bushes I planted this year.  It is still quite small but has new growth.